Party spokesperson Surjewala in a press conference at Congress headquarters, strongly rejected the allegations that the scheme was a top-up scheme and said it would directly benefit all the 20 percent beneficiary families.
He said: “Rs 72000 will be given to the poorest people of the country. This is not a top-up scheme. All 20 percent families will directly be benefitted with Rs. 72,000 a year.”
He said, 5 crore families consisting of 25 crore people, will be directly benefited by the scheme.
He emphasised that the Congress party will get this amount directly credited to the bank accounts of the female members of the beneficiary families.
On Monday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi had made his “groundbreaking” announcement that Rs 72,000 per year will be given as minimum income to poor families, benefiting around 25 crore people, if his party is voted to power in Lok Sabha polls, and asserted it will be the final assault on poverty.
Addressing a press conference, Gandhi said on Monday that 20 per cent or five crore families belonging to the poorest category with monthly income less than Rs 12,000 would come under the scheme.
"This is a ground breaking idea. It is a historic day for India and the final assault on poverty is beginning. We will wipe out poverty from the country," he said, adding that the scheme was finalised after thorough consultations with renowned economists and experts.
However, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley described the poll promise as a "bluff announcement", saying no other political party has betrayed India for more than seven decades in the name of poverty.
Hitting back at Jaitley, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said it was shameful that he was opposing the scheme while the party is waiving loans for the rich.
The scheme comes as a sequel to the minimum income guarantee scheme announced by Gandhi a few days ago, while campaigning at a poll rally.
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